Today’s QoW comes from Premium Member John Yoder. “Personally,” John said, “I’ve found audio books, which I download from our public library, to be a great diversion. Since I want to pick up on the story in the book I’m listening to, it motivates me to ride, i.e., I want to hear the next chapter.”
(We encourage you to submit you own QoW ideas using the Question of the Week Ideas link.)
TV or movies..when all else fails, podcasts.
I have aerobars on bike and can rest a Kindle reader on them. I get through a lot of books while on the trainer!
I have a Tout de France bicycle simulator that connects my route to Google maps. I get still photo images in my computer screen every 5 seconds. In addition, I have the simulator in front of the TV so I can watch sports, movies, or whatever.
Music, and for longer rides, movies — preferably something I’ve already seen (so if I’m dying during a hard interval, I’m not missing a crucial scene). I’ve also had fun watching movies on DVD with the commentary option turned on.
I disagree with your premise in today’s poll that riding a trainer is boring. Sometimes I do listen to NPR for a while, but even that is distracting. I try to pay close attention to what I am doing. Is my cadence smooth at the right RPM? How are my quads doing? How hard should I go now? How long should I do this? Am I in a rhythm? Can I just focus on my body turing the peddles? I feel that being aware of my body on the trainer really helps that same awareness on the road. I have tried watching cycling or a ball game but then I cannot focus on my riding. I actually enjoy riding my trainer. When I was doing Ironman, I did the majority of my bike workouts on the trainer.
Many years ago we bought a reading stand that Schwinn sold to go on their exercise bike (the one with the big fan). I built a reading stand that also holds a desk fan aimed right at the rider’s face. I pile up reading materials over the summer and catch up through the winter, while also listening to music. Double use of the time – it’s all good.
I mount a piece of sheetrock in front of me and put some paint on it so I can watch it dry as I pedal.
I watch a lot of YouTube videos streamed from an Apple TV device on a large flatscreen TV. It’s simply incredible how much amazing stuff is on YouTube and it all can be watched for free (as long as you have Internet service and a way to watch). For example, you can learn how to do just about any project you have on your to-do list from household repairs to car repairs to new hobbies. If you’re interested in the work of famous movie directors you can watch almost endless documentaries. I find that watching it while riding indoors is a wonderful way to learn new things and it sure makes the time fly by.
I go to YouTube and find a bicycle race to watch.
Typically we listen to stimulating hard rock while watching really old spring classics with the sound turned down. I try to knit or crochet while I’m on the trainer, too, and I can get a LOT done.